Thursday, August 14, 2008

Childline needs you

I have to be upfront - vested interest and all that.This has to do with the recent Supreme Court ruling overturning the judgement of the Mumbai High Court in the Anchorage case , involving two Britons (rearrested) accused of child abuse.CHILDLINE, THAT TOOK UP THE CAUSE OF THE MINOR BOYS 7 YEARS AGO, discovered to everybody's horror that the middle -aged Brits were about to waltz away - acquitted of all charges. This has got to be a really perverse legal call, given the sensitivity of the case and the overwhelming evidence stacked up against the Brit 'do gooders' at the shelter in Colaba. Oh, the vested interest reference is to my direct involvement with Childline - I ran the Dream Run at the Mumbai Marathon two years ago, to raise funds for Childline. I can proudly claim that I managed to raise a respectable amount that far exceeded the standard contribution. This was possible because Shikha, who works with Childline, was a great motivator, who pushed me into pushing myself. It was a fantastic experience, and I am glad I participated.I got to know more about Childline's activities through Shikha and other social workers, and pledged my whole hearted support to it.Well, the next Mumbai marathon is upon us, and though I won't be running, I'm planning to help out regardless.Starting with the 10th September initiative.The date 10 9 8 also happens to be the helpline number for children in distress.Several interesting initiatives are being planned around it. For more info, visit the Childline website. And if you too feel strongly about the Anchorage ruling, make sure your voice is heard. Because children need us. Desperately. And paedophiles must be punished. MUST!!

12 comments:

My heart bled when i heard that the perverse brits are going to go scott free. I understand the cause well, more so because I am a survivor of child sex abuse. Was raped when I was barely 7 years old. And this abuse continued till I was 16. I had lived a life of complete trauma during that time and also after that, when I came out, i found no support from anybody. Thats why probably I bonded well with my dog. He asked me no questions, he didn't blame me by asking me "why were you silent for so long". He rather licked my tears that rolled down my cheeks. It took me a lot of time and difficult experiences with difficult people to turn from victim to survivor. From self pity to a being flintstone... I now never miss an opportunity to speak to anyone about my pain. Because when I did look for support, I got responses like "dont marinate in your sorrow" "ohh this happens only to girls, you are a boy". I want every parent to know that every child needs to be protected and needs to be educated sexually at home. For there are many sexual predators in the extended family who would pounce at an opportunity to tutor.

If these assoles go free. What example are we setting. There is no law that protects a child against sex abuse in our country. The convicts are tried under the Rape Law. Child sex abuse is different. Its more, much more than rape.

Im sorry for this emotional outburst. I couldn't stop my fingers running on the key pad. August 14 was the night when I finally said "NO" to the freakin perpetrator. Today is August 14 and I see your post. I have written about myself .

I am all for childline. If you arnt running,. Tell me. I will try and spread the word and get many students to run for them. Pass on my details to her.

on the post itself ..I will not be in Mumbai on that day....but I am glad there is some awareness on this issue

As for these people...hoping to go free hoping around ... waiting to go on their next vacation and moving on to ruin more innocent lives..I think a Middle eastern Wahhabi country might be the ideal destination...considering there is no concept of FAIR TRAIL there...!

All they know there is CHOP CHOP!! that that in this case might be the most suitable thing to do :)

Rock on Shobha De! I am so glad you are supporting this cause and bringing more awareness and publicity to the need for a social awakening against the terrible tragedy of child abuse. It is unconsiecanable (sheesh how does one spell that) that as thinking adults we should allow this terrible injustice to be swept under the carpet. We need to protest and vociferously too!

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